Manu to the rescue in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — With just over eight minutes left in the Spurs’ 90-87 victory at Indiana on Friday night, when their rally was still in doubt, Manu Ginobili got ahead of himself.

Trying to make a play, Ginobili got tangled in his own feet and, with nobody else within 5 feet of him, fell to the floor and then out of bounds.

From his spot on the sidelines, coach Gregg Popovich grimaced. He had lived with the wild side of Ginobili before.

But, after eight-plus seasons, he also knew the other side.

“When he feels like things are in a situation where somebody’s got to step up and do something,” Popovich said, “he’s always willing to do it.”

The Spurs found themselves in such a situation at Conseco Fieldhouse on Friday, teetering toward another loss, their frustration mounting. Once again, Ginobili did something.

Behind Ginobili’s whirling dervish fourth quarter, punctuated by go-ahead free throws with 15.7 seconds to go, the Spurs overcame a 15-point deficit in the final 12:32 to claim their 30th victory on the third try.

Ginobili finished with 25 points, eight of them in the final frame, and also had two fourth-quarter steals that ignited the rally. It marked the fifth time this season the Spurs (30-6) had come back from at least 15 points down to win.

“I was proud of our team,” Popovich said. “They just kept playing the game. That’s a great sign.”

After opening their three-game road trip with losses at New York and Boston, the Spurs arrived in Indiana desperate.

“We needed a win,” said Tony Parker, who was playing with a stomach bug.

George Hill, an Indianapolis native, had 16 points off the bench, including a key three-point play to bring the Spurs within one, at 87-86, with 1:07 left. Tim Duncan added 15 points and 15 rebounds.

Not quite too late, the Spurs welcomed back their defense, MIA for the first two stops of the trip. In the fourth quarter Friday, they held Indiana to 1-of-15 shooting, the fewest field goals the Pacers (14-19) have managed in a quarter in at least 19 years.

“They took their defense to a whole different level in the fourth quarter,” Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said.

In his first start of the season, Indiana forward Tyler Hansbrough went for career bests in points (23) and rebounds (12), joining a growing list of players the Spurs have made stars on this road trip.

“He almost took the game away from us,” Popovich said.

Ginobili took it back.

Three minutes at the end of the first half hinted at what was to come. Ginobili closed with 10 straight points, threw in an interception of Brandon Rush, and helped the Spurs turn an eight-point deficit into a 48-47 halftime lead.

“He just gets that look,” Parker said. “And you know he’s going to do something.”

Two nights earlier in Boston, Ginobili had that look, too. He scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, and came a botched final possession from finishing off a comeback there, too.

This time, he saved the Spurs. He also saved Duncan.

With 1:11 left, Duncan drew an ill-timed technical foul for arguing with official Scott Wall. The ensuing Darren Collison foul shot was still the difference in the score when Ginobili sized up Rush at the top of the key with 20 seconds left.

Ginobili beat Rush off the dribble, then drew a foul on Jeff Foster. His two free throws gave the Spurs an 88-87 lead and, ultimately, the victory.

“It was different than in Boston,” Ginobili said. “Luckily I was able to make a play.”

Popovich had seen both sides of Ginobili before.

In the past, there have been times when Popovich might have questioned Ginobili’s sanity. But never his bravery.

“He’ll take the chances and make the plays,” Popovich said. “That’s what he’s about, what he’s always been.”